But that was before I met Alexander Delgado. Before his magnetic pull grabbed hold of me. I’ve had crushes and a few boyfriends, but no one has ever made me feel the way he does.
Bean’s ringtone starts playing from my phone and a photo of the two of us in Halloween costumes from a few years ago pops up on the screen, bringing a smile to my face. We’re unrecognizable in the heavy makeup that took us hours to apply, but it was worth it. Damn, that was a fun night.
For years, we were just next-door neighbors who sometimes hung out. Usually, when her mom had a date and needed a babysitter. But then we spent the whole summer before third grade together and we’ve been inseparable ever since.
Even now, with her back home in Washington State and me living in New York, we call and text each other all the time.
Pressing the answer button, I say, “Milkshakes are never big enough.”
She hums in agreement. “Coffees are also never big enough.”
“Why is that? Who do we complain to?”
“Good question. I’ll get back to you. But I have news. Are you sitting down?” she asks, her tone serious.
Shit.Bean is rarely serious. “Do I need to be sitting down?”
“Yes.”
“Well, lucky for you, I am. But this better not be another pregnancy scare because my heart can’t take any more of those.”
She groans. “I swear that whole box of condoms was defective. But no, that’s not what this is. Think you can take off for a week or so in August?”
“Are you taking me on that cruise you promised me when we were eleven?” I tease.
“Damn it, I forgot about that. Next year, Min,” she promises.
“Um, you’re moving out of Castle Shrew?”
“I fucking wish. Well, actually, kind of. But try again,” she prods.
“You finally beatBreath of the Wild?”
“You know what, fuck you. It’s hard!”
“It’s notthathard and you’ve had years to do it. There’s an entire second game now. And I’m out of guesses. That’s not true. I could probably do this all day. Save yourself the ridiculousness and just tell me.”
“Calvin proposed!” she yells.
I process that little piece of information for a second. “And you said ‘no, but thanks for the ring’, then pawned it and booked us that cruise?” I ask hopefully. Calvin’s not high on my ‘fucking awesome people’ list. Actually, he’s not on that list at all. He’s on the ‘meh, I guess I don’t want to murder you’ list.
She chuckles. “I know he’s not your favorite person in the world, but you have to admit he’s the best guy I’ve dated.”
Yeah, because she has the worst taste in men. The. Worst. The bar was fucking low when Calvin came into the picture, and he barely cleared it.
“I won’t disagree with you there. And if you’re happy, I’m happy. I already have an idea for your wedding present.”
“It better not be a giant box of condoms.”
“Who, me? Never!” I say innocently. It’s going to be anenormousbox of condoms. Every variety I can find: lubed, ribbed, flavored, and every color imaginable.
“Yes, you. I know you, Minnie.” Her teasing tone ends with a sigh. “Which is how I know you’re not going to like this next bit.”
That’s comforting…“Out with it, Bean.”
“I want you to be a bridesmaid… I mean, really, I want you to be maid of honor, but Mom and Stephanie threw a fit because Steph’s my sister, and she’s here while you’re all the way across the country.”
Ouch. Fucking Tiffany. Of course she made a big dealabout Bean picking me over her precious, perfect Stephanie. She’s Tiffany’s pride and joy.
